Estes Park, CO : Anyone close to there?

[pooks]

I don't think you can take bikes off road at the park. But I see them on the roads all the time, and the views are outstanding. It truly is my favorite place in the world to camp. Not that I've camped all over the world. But you know what I mean.

[HappyAnika]

Hi there, I'm just down the hill in Longmont. I don't have a lot of experience with the park itself (we have dogs and like to take them with us - no dogs in the park). You could ride down and then back up several canyons (36 and 7 go into Lyons, I would recommend 7, less traffic and prettier, 34 goes into Loveland, I've only driven this a couple of times, not sure how it'd be on the bike). A great ride would be to head out of Estes on 7 toward Hwy 72 aka the Peak to Peak Hwy which goes to Nederland, a funky mountain town at the top of Boulder Canyon. While there are lots of ups and downs, you stay at relatively the same elevation, as opposed to dropping the 2,500 - 3,000 ft down to the front range. The views along the peak to peak are fabulous, its a designated scenic route. Just remember to drink a ton of water, its "high and dry" here. Oh, and I just have to throw in that we got married in Estes Park, at Lily Lake which is technically in the park, but just off Hwy 7 outside the entrances. Have a great trip!

[Diggles]

i would love to go to fort collins. i hear the bouldering there is outstanding & there's a brewery...new belgium (sp?) that is famous all the way here in kentucky.

i need to figure out my camping arrangements for the month. it's not hot out there is it?

Hot...remember i'm in kentucky. it's 97 here w/ 90% humidity.

[Kathi]

Hot but not the kind of hot you're used to, no humidity. It was 100 yesterday here in Denver. We slept with the windows open last night and have not turned on the swamp cooler today.

I rode my bike yesterday, went out about 11:00 for 1.5 hrs. The climb back to the house was a little warm, but not miserable

100 degrees without humidity feels like 90 degrees. Of course, Estes Park is higher elevation so it is cooler.

My friend who lives in Silverthorne cuts grass at Keystone Golf course and he says that in the mornings this time of year there is often frost on the grass.

Colorado is like anywhere else, it can get cold in the summer. Two weeks ago, the weekend of the Triple Bypass, it was rainy and in the 60's here in Denver. Riders on the Triple Bypass bailed, not because of the rain, but because of the cold and danger of hypothermia.

We're in the monsoon season, not sure how long it lasts, so it can be sunny and beautiful in the mornings and rain showers in the afternoon.

Be prepared for cold and hot. There are stores in Estes Park so you can buy whatever you need if you forget somethng. That's how they make their money, tourists forget to bring essentials (warm clothes) so they have to buy them.

I made that mistake myself in June, it was hot here so I took only shorts to Summit County, it was in the 60's and 30"s at night. Fortunately, I had left a pair of long pants and a long sleeved shirt in the condo, so I got by.

[Diggles]

You girls are so freakin helpful. Doesn't even have to be about cycling...y'all are just some nice gals.

I would never have thought to bring clothes for cold in august. neva. it's going to be a tight squeeze all the way from north carolina in a 328 BMW w/ a bike, 2 crash pads, 2 sets of climbing gear & clothes. Oh & 2 adults. Ha!

[Kathi]

More info from one of our hiking books,

Snow can fall in higher elevations any time, rain in Colorado tends to be cold and unprepared hikers can become hypothermic at any time, monsoon season (mid-July to early Sept) brings occasional gray, rainy days and increased thunderstorms. Flash flooding and lightening (very dangerous out here) are 2 other problems with thunderstorms. It snowed on Monarch pass 2 weeks ago.

" Whatever the season, always bring layer of clothes and rain gear. Weather can change quickly and a temp drop of 10-20 degrees F in one hour is not unheard of. Be prepared!"

Another tidbit, for every 1,000 ft of elevation gained, the temp. drops 5.5 degrees F. If Denver at 5,280 is 80 deg.F it may be 53 degrees in Leadville at 10,190 ft! That's what got me the day I rode up there, temps were in the 50's Fortunately, I did have my arm and leg warmers with me and a light jacket.

[pooks]

Always prepare for cold nights camping in Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park. That's the reason I love to camp there! Beautiful days, perfect for hiking without roasting -- and cool nights, all the better for sleeping!